Observation on Warmups

[TrueRU]

I have noticed this multiple times this year, but in pregame warmups, pretty much all of the RU players make it a dunk contest. Balls off the backboard, between the legs, etc.

Meanwhile, I watch other teams out there shooting, doing layups, etc.

I am fine if the kids want to be loose and do some dunks, but don't make it the entire warmup. Get yourself ready to play. The lack of focus showed tonight and has showed in other games when we get off to slow starts.

 

[Mr Magoo]

“player’s coach”

 

[S_Janowski]

I have noticed this multiple times this year, but in pregame warmups, pretty much all of the RU players make it a dunk contest. Balls off the backboard, between the legs, etc.

Meanwhile, I watch other teams out there shooting, doing layups, etc.

I am fine if the kids want to be loose and do some dunks, but don't make it the entire warmup. Get yourself ready to play. The lack of focus showed tonight and has showed in other games when we get off to slow starts.

This team obviously has warts and deficiencies….but they also just never wanted it enough.

I got blasted for starting a thread after the Kennesaw State game because I was pissed when I saw J Will giggling multiple times while losing in the final minutes and also after the game with Ace.

The lack of consistent focus, effort, and desire to win just isn’t there across the board and it was a huge red flag early.

 

[RutgersChow]

Appears there is little control over the players, little discipline, and the players have little respect for Pike. If we don't make the tournament this year find the money and get his a&s outa hear. If we had a quality assistant to take over as interim head coach I'd like to see him gone tomorrow.

 

[Corycord1]

I have noticed this multiple times this year, but in pregame warmups, pretty much all of the RU players make it a dunk contest. Balls off the backboard, between the legs, etc.

Meanwhile, I watch other teams out there shooting, doing layups, etc.

I am fine if the kids want to be loose and do some dunks, but don't make it the entire warmup. Get yourself ready to play. The lack of focus showed tonight and has showed in other games when we get off to slow starts.

I said this in another thread. While I was there (about 30-45 minutes before tip) Jwill did not attempt one shot prior to the game. Not a FT not a 3pter not even a lay up. It’s just truly unacceptable, mostly for a player who truly struggles to shoot.

 

[BigEastPhil]

Yep. Was telling my buddy that prior to tip. It’s every game as they do it right in front of me !

Instead of practicing windmill dunks - should be practicing free throws and box outs.

 

[The RUT]

I posted this last year, there’s a very Flood-like culture surrounding the basketball program right now.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

At least Ace is practicing free throws post-game...

 

[RutgersChow]

I said this in another thread. While I was there (about 30-45 minutes before tip) Jwill did not attempt one shot prior to the game. Not a FT not a 3pter not even a lay up. It’s just truly unacceptable, mostly for a player who truly struggles to shoot.

This is incredible a coach would let this happen - cannot be here next year.

 

[zappaa]

I said this in another thread. While I was there (about 30-45 minutes before tip) Jwill did not attempt one shot prior to the game. Not a FT not a 3pter not even a lay up. It’s just truly unacceptable, mostly for a player who truly struggles to shoot.

What did he do during warmups, doesn’t everyone love to shoot?

 

[Corycord1]

Most teams I see warm up will dunk and do some windmills a trick shots, mostly towards the end of the shoot around but it’s the WHOLE time for Rutgers.

 

[Corycord1]

What did he do during warmups, doesn’t everyone love to shoot?

Windmill dunks, between the leg dunks. He’d throw the ball high up in the air catch it and try to 360 dunk. Didn’t make any of them. And yes this isn’t a big deal mostly if it’s a thing at the end of shoot around to keep the guys loose but when you don’t attempt anything before the game other than circus dunks, that’s a problem.

 

[Nycrusupporter]

I said this in another thread. While I was there (about 30-45 minutes before tip) Jwill did not attempt one shot prior to the game. Not a FT not a 3pter not even a lay up. It’s just truly unacceptable, mostly for a player who truly struggles to shoot.

Maybe JWill belongs to the Allen Iverson school when it come to “practice”

 

[S_Janowski]

Windmill dunks, between the leg dunks. He’d throw the ball high up in the air catch it and try to 360 dunk. Didn’t make any of them. And yes this isn’t a big deal mostly if it’s a thing at the end of shoot around to keep the guys loose but when you don’t attempt anything before the game other than circus dunks, that’s a problem.

That might be the saddest part

 

[RutgersClassof2004]

Appears there is little control over the players, little discipline, and the players have little respect for Pike. If we don't make the tournament this year find the money and get his a&s outa hear. If we had a quality assistant to take over as interim head coach I'd like to see him gone tomorrow.

Agreed 100%. Players running the show. Pike just cheerleader.

 

[ScarletDave]

There’s a lot of red flags with this team (which are reflective of the coaching staff’s lack of control and order) that it pains as a true fan to admit. But they are there. Not sure what happened to the old Pike, he would have never stood for this.

 

[Corycord1]

And not to beat a dead horse, but Wisconsin literally had a line for players taking turns taking FTs. It’s no coincidence, that one team shot 100% from the line and is one of the best in the country and the other shot less than 50% and is bottom half of the country. One team, interested in winning, the other interested in putting on a show in warm ups.

 

[bac2therac]

no accountability and it shows in different ways

 

[winfield102]

But we are better offensively this year, so this isn't important. (Sarcasm).

Are we an AAU team now?

 

[RUDivision]

I have noticed this multiple times this year, but in pregame warmups, pretty much all of the RU players make it a dunk contest. Balls off the backboard, between the legs, etc.

Meanwhile, I watch other teams out there shooting, doing layups, etc.

I am fine if the kids want to be loose and do some dunks, but don't make it the entire warmup. Get yourself ready to play. The lack of focus showed tonight and has showed in other games when we get off to slow starts.

Wisconsin as a team shot free throws during warm ups.

We were conducting a March madness dunk contest.

Wisconsin didn’t miss a free throw and Well Ace is still in the gym practicing free throws.

Ace, love the work and dedication but possibly practice those before the game and not windmill dunks

 

[RUDivision]

There’s a lot of red flags with this team (which are reflective of the coaching staff’s lack of control and order) that it pains as a true fan to admit. But they are there. Not sure what happened to the old Pike, he would have never stood for this.

Pikes done! His coaching on the court has always been a problem.

Now, he has his best player with the “flu” travel with the team and sit on the bench for Indiana. He’s so sick he can’t play but Pike thinks it’s a good idea having him around the team????

Sunday! Dylan is so sick with the “flu” he attends the woman’s game with Ace. The next night he’s so tired and sick that he can’t even bring the ball up the court and he cant go against Wisconsin?

Pike come on we are not buying it!

 

[RutgersClassof2004]

Pikes done! His coaching on the court has always been a problem.

Now, he has his best player with the “flu” travel with the team and sit on the bench for Indiana. He’s so sick he can’t play but Pike thinks it’s a good idea having him around the team????

Sunday! Dylan is so sick with the “flu” he attends the woman’s game with Ace. The next night he’s so tired and sick that he can’t even bring the ball up the court and he cant go against Wisconsin?

Pike come on we are not buying it!

Clearly has lost any semblance of coaching these guys.

 

[zappaa]

I’ve seen almost every BIG team warmup 5 feet from me.
They all do close out drills, shooting drills and foul shooting

 

[Unionst]

This has been driving me nuts. Compare it with the Cam Spencer pre-game approach where he shot and shot and stayed out to shoot more. That guy was ready to play. Our guys lost this game in the first four minutes as they often do.

 

[rume]

This has been driving me nuts. Compare it with the Cam Spencer pre-game approach where he shot and shot and stayed out to shoot more. That guy was ready to play. Our guys lost this game in the first four minutes as they often do.

It was fun watching Cam before the games. Kid was focused and could shoot.

 

[RW90]

...And then the team went on to miss almost every put-back from offensive rebounds in the game.

 

[SirScarlet]

I said this in another thread. While I was there (about 30-45 minutes before tip) Jwill did not attempt one shot prior to the game. Not a FT not a 3pter not even a lay up. It’s just truly unacceptable, mostly for a player who truly struggles to shoot.

This is bullshit. I was there an hour before tip last night and while it's true they were trying all sorts of dunks, Jwill took a ton of shots

What the hell are you talking about he didn't take one shot?

That's complete and utter BS

 

[Saint Puppy]

I know all of us are extremely frustrated, and we have a right to be. That being said I'm usually there when the doors open, and I'm not really seeing a dunk contest (granted was not there yesterday). Could they be doing more? Maybe. But, if they were winning nobody would be saying 'boop' about this. And more to the point - I really don't think it matters all that much. Bottom line is we don't have good players or good schemes - number of times you will be successful with that combo in the history of sports is about ZERO - whether we have focused warmups or not!

 

[jtung230]

we talking about warmups

 

[DHajekRC84]

Agreed 100%. Players running the show. Pike just cheerleader.

Nothing new.

 

[DHajekRC84]

This team obviously has warts and deficiencies….but they also just never wanted it enough.

I got blasted for starting a thread after the Kennesaw State game because I was pissed when I saw J Will giggling multiple times while losing in the final minutes and also after the game with Ace.

The lack of consistent focus, effort, and desire to win just isn’t there across the board and it was a huge red flag early.

caught them end game doing it too. I guess Ace thought his antics with #7 to get his 5th foul was funny. I caught Greg Grad mouth "Good Job" to #7 after they announced Ace out of the game.

This is not a new phenomena. Ask Cam Spencer or go re-watch the Toto clip sing along.

 

[Corycord1]

This is bullshit. I was there an hour before tip last night and while it's true they were trying all sorts of dunks, Jwill took a ton of shots

What the hell are you talking about he didn't take one shot?

That's complete and utter BS

I am talking about exactly what I saw. Two separate shoot arounds. The first one I probably caught the end of and the other was lay up lines before tip off. It wasn’t just me either, it was an open conversation with the people in my section. He did not take a shot while I was there.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

If the coaches don't play or start the best players and allow players to play 4 and 5 games without scoring or getting any rebounds, why would the players take things seriously??

It starts with whatever phantom promise was made to play Martini major minutes in most of these games to start the season and Pike continues to trot him and Ogbole out there as starters.

Once Pike gets serious about winning and stops coasting, is when this stops and changes.....

It is a 100% carryover from the debacle of the football season, where players continue to blow assignment and coverages every single quarter, until a 4-0 start blew up into a 4-4 record and an embarrassing October of football.

Most times, it is the HC and his responsibilities are to set the tempo for playing players who are just better.....sitting on KJ Duff in football for most of the season and trotting out WRs like Chris Long, who simply wasn't good enough or made enough catches, was costly. Among other horrific decisions to keep playing 2 or 3 kids on the RU defense who had no interest in paying attention.

Same lack of urgency here.....Martini and Ogbole do not see minutes anywhere else in the B1G and not only do they see minutes, they actually START games. And fans wonder why both programs have a label of underachieving.

If Dylan Grant does a windmill dunk in warm ups, I'm not going to go crazy, but it is your alleged "Captains", who have no teeth or willingness to be part of the solution. It is still amazing that Martini was somehow named a Team Captain, before actually earning it on the court and in games.

JWill, who I advocated as being a difference maker who could make plays while he was on ice last year, arrives in February, plays and makes an impact.....now he's suddenly acting like he's an all conference player. It would show me something if he took these games personally, but maybe he also sees this farce of these lineups and just laughs it off.

This team needs youth and energy.....and figuring out who wants to be on the court. I can't criticize players who are not talented enough to be scorers or shooters, but the least a player can do, is play hard......and coaches need to show players that this isn't about feelings or whatever was promised in the spring.

 

[RUfromNJ]

caught them end game doing it too. I guess Ace thought his antics with #7 to get his 5th foul was funny. I caught Greg Grad mouth "Good Job" to #7 after they announced Ace out of the game.

This is not a new phenomena. Ask Cam Spencer or go re-watch the Toto clip sing along.

That song will be forever be associated with Dean Reiber rocking back and forth on the bench with a 69-60 lead with 1:15 to play.

 

[SirScarlet]

I am talking about exactly what I saw. Two separate shoot arounds. The first one I probably caught the end of and the other was lay up lines before tip off. It wasn’t just me either, it was an open conversation with the people in my section. He did not take a shot while I was there.

look, I get the Pike bashing...and the player bashing. totally get it. everyone is frustrated

but you are going to double (actually scrolling up looks like a quadruple down) on saying that for 30-45 mins Jwill didnt take 1 shot? Sorry, you need to be called out, because you are full of shit.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

You make it seem as if Sommerville is an obvious choice. We don't need our 5 to score! We don't want Somerville getting touches against most B1G centers. He is very skilled, but is too small and unathletic and over matched. You are the same guy blasting Cliff for needing low post touches.

 

[RW90]

It is a 100% carryover from the debacle of the football season, where players continue to blow assignment and coverages every single quarter, until a 4-0 start blew up into a 4-4 record and an embarrassing October of football.

Wait, so now our dumpster fire of a season is the football team's fault?!?

 

[RUBlackout]

I’ve seen almost every BIG team warmup 5 feet from me.
They all do close out drills, shooting drills and foul shooting

Every BIG team except ours.....

 

[RU84]

If the coaches don't play or start the best players and allow players to play 4 and 5 games without scoring or getting any rebounds, why would the players take things seriously??

It starts with whatever phantom promise was made to play Martini major minutes in most of these games to start the season and Pike continues to trot him and Ogbole out there as starters.

Once Pike gets serious about winning and stops coasting, is when this stops and changes.....

It is a 100% carryover from the debacle of the football season, where players continue to blow assignment and coverages every single quarter, until a 4-0 start blew up into a 4-4 record and an embarrassing October of football.

Most times, it is the HC and his responsibilities are to set the tempo for playing players who are just better.....sitting on KJ Duff in football for most of the season and trotting out WRs like Chris Long, who simply wasn't good enough or made enough catches, was costly. Among other horrific decisions to keep playing 2 or 3 kids on the RU defense who had no interest in paying attention.

Same lack of urgency here.....Martini and Ogbole do not see minutes anywhere else in the B1G and not only do they see minutes, they actually START games. And fans wonder why both programs have a label of underachieving.

If Dylan Grant does a windmill dunk in warm ups, I'm not going to go crazy, but it is your alleged "Captains", who have no teeth or willingness to be part of the solution. It is still amazing that Martini was somehow named a Team Captain, before actually earning it on the court and in games.

JWill, who I advocated as being a difference maker who could make plays while he was on ice last year, arrives in February, plays and makes an impact.....now he's suddenly acting like he's an all conference player. It would show me something if he took these games personally, but maybe he also sees this farce of these lineups and just laughs it off.

This team needs youth and energy.....and figuring out who wants to be on the court. I can't criticize players who are not talented enough to be scorers or shooters, but the least a player can do, is play hard......and coaches need to show players that this isn't about feelings or whatever was promised in the spring.

It’s really baffling why the staff wouldn’t have any sense of urgency given the expectations this season. An NCAA bid was the floor. Why would you not give the team the best chance to win? This is high level college basketball not HS or youth hoops.

 

[RUJMM78]

i would like to see in pre game practice not only foul shooting but also some simulated ball movement resulting in players taking shots .In other words productive time spent rather than wasting time on dunk routines or crazy 3 points shot 20 feet high.